Former ILA President Richard Hughes Jr. dead at 79

Friday, September 13, 2013

The International Longshoremen’s Association said that Richard P. Hughes, Jr., who served as the union's eighth president from July 2007 until July 2011, died on Wednesday in Baltimore at age 79.
Hughes started working on the Baltimore docks in 1954 and was as third
generation ILA member.
Prior to his election as ILA president, he served as both executive vice president of the ILA and secretary-treasurer of the ILA’s Atlantic Coast District. He had first been elected ACD secretary-treasurer in July 2000 and was later reelected in July 2003. In October 2005, Mr. Hughes was named the ILA’s executive vice president. He served as general vice president of the ACD from 1989 to 2000 and had been ACD vice president since 1985.
He was elected ILA president emeritus at the union’s 2011 convention.
“The International Longshoremen’s Association is deeply saddened by the passing our President Richard P. Hughes, Jr., who served our ILA membership with distinction and honor for more than half a century,” said current ILA President Harold J. Daggett. “Rich Hughes’ accomplishments throughout his long career with the ILA were vast, and his memory will endure.”
Paddy Crumlin, national secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia and chairman of the ITF Dockworkers Section, remembered "Richie" as a tireless worker and an extraordinary character who was loved and respected.
"He was a Baltimore boy down to his bootstraps," Crumlin said. "He is also remembered for his great humour and generosity of spirit. He loved, and was greatly loved in return, by his family. He often said to me the purpose and satisfaction of our life’s endeavours was mostly secured by the support we can offer for our family." - Chris Dupin